Adventure Magazine, April 10, 1924 — page 166: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

164 “Tt becomes a case where my justice will strike all who oppose it,” gloomed Jarl Rognvald. “After me, those who love me.” The crowd yielded to him when he reached a knot of men packed against the massive doors of the church, which one of their number was battering with an ax. “Make way, there,’ bade Rognvald again as these men showed a disposition not to budge. And he heaved them right and left. “So!” he exclaimed, his beard a-bristle with anger. ‘You would stand before your Jarl! House-carls, chop me off the arm of the fellow that lingers in my path.” They scattered at that, and bared the back of Thorbiorn Klerk, who pecked away at the church door with his ax, entirely heedless of whatever went on below him. “Tt seems that you not only have no respect for me, but none for Holy Church as well, Thorbiorn,” said Jarl Rognvald. Thorbiorn turned reluctantly, holding his ax as if to parry a blow. “Y fear the reproaches of my followers,” he answered. “What will they say of me # I do not punish the man who slew Thor- kell?” “And what will I do to you if you do not presently sing a milder tune?” retorted Jarl Rognvald. “You have no right to come between me and the man who slew my tenant,’ per- sisted Thorbiorn. “T have every right,” rejoined the Jarl. “Aye, even the right to slay you for broiling tn my presence and upsetting the peace of my stead. What, fellow, are you become greater than we who are your lords?” He waved forward a brace of house-carls. “Take him to the fetter room. We will try if a diet of cold water and bread does not tame your spirit, Thorbiorn. You are grown over boastful of yourself.” But Jarl Harald interceded a second time, as Thorbiorn drew back and raised his ax. “The offense is a grave one, Rognvald,”’ said the young Jarl, “yet I beg of you to overlook it. ‘Thorbiorn is a famous warrior, and has always been an honorable man. It would ill become us to stain his honor by making him a prisoner. Let us rather admonish him to mend his behavior and send him home to reflect upon it.” “Ves, yes,” said Swain. ‘I would not have you punish Thorbiorn like a hasty Adventure youth, Lord Jarl. Moreover, it may be he has some right on his side. You have not yet examined the people concerning what happened.” : “That is true,’’ admitted Jarl Rognvald. “How was it, Thorbiorn? Did Thor- arinn set. upon Thorkell?” “Why, they had words together,” began Thorbiorn uncertainly. “I saw the people rushing together in the street, and then——” “No, no,” spoke up several men in the crowd about the church steps. ‘““Thorkell reproached Thorarinn as they came forth of the skalli, and finally struck him in the face.” Others likewise bore witness to this, and the stern look returned to Jarl Rognvald’s face. “What have you to say, Thorbiorn?” he asked. “Only this,” replied the Caithness man boldly: ‘Here you and yours are my masters, but the hour will come when [ shall have my vengeance. I am none to accept a slight, and there was a slight laid upon me when Thorkell, who spoke in my favor, was slain by Thorarinn for that very reason.” ‘Here is a matter for Thorarinn to tes- tify to,” advised Swain. “Let him be brought from the church.” Jarl Rognvald agreed with this, and re- quired Thorbiorn to stand down from the church door. Then Thorarinn was haled forth. He came willingly as soon as he was told that the Jarl desired him and that Thorbiorn was constrained not to harm him. “Tt is in my mind that this was a shabby deed you performed in our midst, Thor- arinn,” said Jarl Rognvald. ‘A man slain under such circumstances as Thorkell may cause a feud the consequences of which no man can foresee.” “TY shall never question that, Lord Jarl,” replied Thorarinn. ‘‘But I had no choice. First, Thorkell reviled me for speaking up as I did in saying that you had judged fairly between Thorbiorn and Swain. And not content with that, when I upheld myself and you, he struck me in the face before the boendr.”’ : Again men shouted affirmation of the testimony. “Are you certain that Thorkell first spoke to you after you left the skalli?” pressed the Jarl. COmMiclbookkSs.G©